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UK says new law will crack down on Iranian, Chinese, Russian proxies from next month

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Britain will implement a new law next month to combat proxies acting for hostile states like Iran, China, and Russia.
  • The legislation targets state-linked organizations using criminal groups for surveillance or sabotage, with penalties up to 14 years in jail.
  • This move follows a series of antisemitic attacks in London and aims to counter a growing threat to democratic institutions.

Britain is set to introduce a new law next month designed to crack down on proxy activities orchestrated by states deemed hostile, including Iran, China, and Russia. The legislation aims to close existing legal gaps by targeting state-linked organizations that employ organized crime groups or individuals to conduct surveillance, sabotage, or other illicit activities on their behalf.

The new powers come in the wake of a spate of antisemitic attacks in London, which have raised concerns about foreign interference. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that "Where foreign states are found to be engaging in activity that threatens lives or undermines our democratic institutions, we must ensure that such actions have consequences." He added, "We will not tolerate hostile actors paying petty criminals to do their dirty work."

Where foreign states are found to be engaging in activity that threatens lives or undermines our democratic institutions, we must ensure that such actions have consequences.

— Keir StarmerExplaining the rationale behind the new legislation.

Under the new law, expressing support for designated proxies or accepting funds from them will become illegal, carrying potential jail sentences of up to 14 years. Britain's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has reported a significant increase in state-threat investigations, with 20 potentially lethal plots linked to Iran identified last year alone. While China and Russia, along with Iran, have dismissed these accusations, the UK government is strengthening its resolve to counter these perceived threats.

We will not tolerate hostile actors paying petty criminals to do their dirty work.

— Keir StarmerEmphasizing the government's stance against foreign interference.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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